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Do I deserve this treatment.

(224 Posts)
JollySailor Sun 10-Mar-24 21:52:12

I was invited to our daughter and son in law's home today for Mothers day afternoon tea. I got dressed up, took gifts for them and was looking forward to it.

I was served a bowl of soup followed by a small cake and coffee.

I was really upset but did not show it and thanked them when I went home two hours later. Yes I was made to feel welcome but I was remembering when it was mothers day when my mum was alive all those many, many years ago, I always laid on a special tea for her and even though it was my mother's day as well, it was always about my mum.

Our other daughter who was ill today rang and asked me if I had enjoyed myself and when I explained what had happened she was disgusted and wanted to say something but I told her no, I didn't want any arguments.

Would any of you readers have been upset about it.

JamesandJon33 Thu 21-Mar-24 14:36:13

My mother, newly moved from Wales asked a butcher for faggots. ‘Madam,’ he said ‘ They are savoury ducks’. I think they quickly reverted back to faggots

MissAdventure Thu 21-Mar-24 12:36:19

I used to be partial to a spam fritter and chips.

Marydoll Thu 21-Mar-24 11:16:18

Newly married, I went into a posh butchers, which sold a variety of cold meats. I asked for Spam (my husband's request) to be told: Madam, WE don't sell Spam! This is a quality butchers. I was mortified. 🤣

MissAdventure Thu 21-Mar-24 10:38:37

Lovely spam!

youtube.com/shorts/UsbAh-_K1Wg?si=NL8MAcvkdJpK2TIU

Maggiemaybe Thu 21-Mar-24 10:34:55

I’m rather partial to a spam sandwich. blush Only if it’s hot grilled spam though.

Actually I don’t mind a tomato cup-a-soup either. Decisions, decisions…..

MissAdventure Thu 21-Mar-24 10:15:49

grin

nadateturbe Thu 21-Mar-24 10:15:00

His wife said 'Right, lunch, do you want a cup'a'soup or a Spam sandwich?' Oh, the disappointment!
A difficult choice Hetty. 😁

Grams2five Thu 21-Mar-24 01:36:17

I’m gobsmacked at this post. D you deserve to be treated this way? No it seems you may deserve far less. How entirely spoiled and ungrateful this post sounds.

Hetty58 Wed 20-Mar-24 18:46:44

It's nice to be offered something - and to see that your host has made an effort and considered your needs. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, though. I'm not too keen on soup, except before a meal. I might have soup instead of lunch sometimes but I wouldn't give that to a guest. Once, we went to visit my late husband's golfing friend. His wife said 'Right, lunch, do you want a cup'a'soup or a Spam sandwich?' Oh, the disappointment!

nadateturbe Mon 18-Mar-24 16:22:38

I would have expected to be offered a biscuit Hetty.

Hetty58 Mon 18-Mar-24 10:05:39

My ex (very odd) neighbour told us she baked three dozen cup cakes every Saturday morning. She'd eat one as a 'reward' and the rest went into a cake tin - to be doled out, one each after dinner - to her family of five - for the rest of the week. As soon as she was gone, my little daughter said 'One each? That's just cruel!'

Doodledog Mon 18-Mar-24 09:53:15

I have just asked a friend if she's free for coffee this afternoon, and am delighted to announce that I have found a packet of chocolate HobNobs in the cupboard grin. I am 100% sure that she wouldn't be upset if I didn't offer them though, any more than I would be if I went to her house and 'just' got a drink. We come or go for one another's company, not to get fed.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 18-Mar-24 08:53:18

You would be disappointed here Hetty, I don’t keep any snacks or biscuits in the house - we would scoff them ourselves and not be thin as a rake like you! I’m amazed at the amount of food your family must have eaten each day. We had breakfast, dinner (lunch) and tea (dinner), and a cup of tea mid-morning and afternoon. If I knew in advance that someone would drop in for coffee I would have cake to offer them, but not if it was a chance encounter.

Doodledog Mon 18-Mar-24 08:48:04

Same here, particularly if it was a spontaneous invitation. If I ate more than a biscuit at 4.30 it would put me off my dinner, too.

In the unlikely event that I invited someone ahead of time (eg asking on a Monday if they wanted to come for tea on Wednesday) I would ensure that I had cake or something to offer them, but usually I just have biscuits. I definitely wouldn’t be upset at only being offered tea or coffee though. I see that wort of invitation as more about being sociable than about food.

Sara1954 Mon 18-Mar-24 08:30:30

Hetty, I just can’t imagine what anyone would expect to be given at 4.30 in the afternoon, possibly a biscuit?
It’s not actually how we were brought up, we too seemed to have multipal snacks, but I don’t think it’s necessary, and if someone invited me in mid afternoon for a cup of tea, that’s all I would want or expect.

Hetty58 Mon 18-Mar-24 08:06:23

Maybe our expectations depend on our background. I was brought up with breakfast, elevenses, lunch, tea and dinner (sometimes supper too) - and multiple snacks. I'm thin as a rake and don't know why. We would treat any visitors to lovely, hearty food, especially if we'd invited them - just part of being good, friendly hosts.

Hetty58 Mon 18-Mar-24 07:55:58

Sara1954, I always have a stash of snacks and biscuits to offer people - any time of day - so it just seemed very odd to me.

MercuryQueen Mon 18-Mar-24 07:54:59

Hetty58

JollySailor, I would have been very disappointed too. I would have expected a good afternoon tea - extra treats as well for Mothers Day. Still, like you, I wouldn't have said anything and would just put it down to thoughtlessness. I would not have complained to my other daughter, though, as it would be sure to cause trouble between them. She may not say anything now, but she'll be so disappointed with her sister.

I don’t understand how it’s thoughtless. She was invited, made welcome and got to spend time with her daughter and grandchildren.

Thoughtless would be receiving nothing.

Which may well be what this daughter does next year. When nothing is good enough, nothing it may well be.

Sara1954 Mon 18-Mar-24 07:34:00

Hetty, that would have been me, a cup of tea, what else would you expect at 4.30?

Hetty58 Sun 17-Mar-24 22:30:42

I do remember, though, a neighbour was also doing her garden - and she said 'Come in for tea, about 4.30!' I said 'Oh, that's nice, I will!' What did I get? Tea - a cup of tea, not even a biscuit!

Hetty58 Sun 17-Mar-24 22:20:37

JollySailor, I would have been very disappointed too. I would have expected a good afternoon tea - extra treats as well for Mothers Day. Still, like you, I wouldn't have said anything and would just put it down to thoughtlessness. I would not have complained to my other daughter, though, as it would be sure to cause trouble between them. She may not say anything now, but she'll be so disappointed with her sister.

nadateturbe Sun 17-Mar-24 12:29:54

So much said in one X Primrose.

Primrose53 Sun 17-Mar-24 11:39:55

nadateturbe

I didn't get anything from my eldest son except a little text which said Love you mum.
That's enough.

Sounds like my son - he gave me a really nice card and a massive bar of chocolate. He is just not one for sentimentality. Never has been. As I opened the envelope I said “I’m hoping for something inside here as you know.” He said “well there’s no money in there”. I said “All I want is a kiss.” Opened the card and there it was, a X. That made my day.

Bridgeit Sun 17-Mar-24 11:32:25

Yes , but not surprised.
They will no doubt have a ‘lightbulb’ moment at some stage.
If it happens frequently then time for a little chat, maybe something on the lines of ‘ ‘ have I upset you ‘ ?best wishes

Smileless2012 Sun 17-Mar-24 11:16:16

Yesterday I received some beautiful flowers from DS who lives in Aus. The card read "To a wonderful mum from a forgetful son". I was thrilled as he usually remembers at the end of May that he forgot UK Mothers day, and my birthday at the beginning of May.